System for toilet bowl cleaning

ABSTRACT

A system for cleaning toilet bowls wherein a container is located within a water tank associated with the bowl with a cleaning compound such as calcium hypochlorite being included within the container. A small diameter opening is provided within the container, and this provides exposure to water in the tank so that the compound will be dissolved in the water and thereby delivered to the bowl when the toilet is flushed. An amount of inert particles such as stone may be included in the container to cooperate with the small diameter opening for purposes of limiting the rate of removal of the compound from within the container. The container preferably consists of an ellipsoidal body having a reduced diameter mid-section with this design providing a further means for limiting the rate of removal of the compound.

United States Patent 1 McDuffee Sept. 24, 1974 SYSTEM FOR TOILET BOWL CLEANING 76 Inventor: Richard L. McDuifee, RR. 1", Box

732 L, Aurora, Ill. 60007 [22] Filed: Oct. 7, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 187,354

[52] US. Cl. 4/228, 4/D1G. 10 [51] Int. Cl E03d 9/03, C02c 1/00 [58] Field of Search 4/228, 222, 232, DIG. 10

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,807,807 10/1957 Harper .l 4/228 3,521,306 7/1970 Jacobs 4/228 3,545,014 12/1970 Davis 4/228 3,604,020 9/1971 Moisa 4/228 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 2,626 12/1905 Great Britain 4/228 Primary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmMcDougall, Hersh & Scott [57] ABSTRACT A system for cleaning toilet bowls wherein a container is located within a water tank associated with the bowl with a cleaning compound such as calcium hypochlorite being included within the container. A small diameter opening is provided within the container, and this provides exposure to water in the tank so that the compound will be dissolved in the water and thereby delivered to the bowl when the toilet is flushed. An amount of inert particles such as stone may be included in the container to cooperate with the small diameter opening for purposes of limiting the rate of removal of the compound from within the container. The container preferably consists of an ellipsoidal body having a reduced diameter mid-section with this design providing a further means for limiting the rate of removal of the compound.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SYSTEMFOR TOILET BOWL CLEANING This invention generally relates to a system for cleaning toilet bowls. The invention is particularly con cerned with improvements in the known technique of locating a bowl cleaner compound in a water tank associated with the bowl whereby the compound will be carried into the bowl along with the water from the tank during flushing of the toilet.

Various problems are encountered with prior art systerns. Basically, it has not been possible to adequately control the use of a cleaning compoundwhereby automatic bowl cleaning can be accomplished on an efficient basis. Some systems are characterized by too great an exposure of the compound to water whereby the compound dissipates at an undesirably fast rate.

Where devices are provided for controlling the rate of dispersal of the compound on an efficient basis,-the expense of such devices'tends to be prohibitive.

It is a generalobject of this invention-to provide an improved arrangement for toilet bowl cleaning whereby the bowlscan be cleaned. and otherwisesanitized on an efficient basis.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a system for automatictoilet bowl cleaning which involves the use of very inexpensive structures, and very simple operating steps, whereby the arrangement of the invention can be employed without great difficulty.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter, and for purposes of illustration,b,ut not of limitation, specific embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of attoilet bowl and associated water tank having the structure of this invention associated therewith;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one form of a container which may be employed in the system of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly cut away, illustrating an alternative container design;

FIG. 4 is areduced plan view of the container taken about the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a reduced bottomplan view ofthe container taken about the line 55 of'FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 3.

The system of this invention generally involves the use of a container located within a water tank associated with a toilet bowl. A cleaning compoundlocated within the container is exposed to water presentin the tank whereby the compound will be carried with the water into the toilet bowlwhen the toiletis flushed. The container structure is provided with a small diameter opening in its top wall to restrict the flowof water into and out of the container..The container may-also include pieces ofinert material along with the compound to limit the exposure of compoundto the water. The combination of the restricted flow of water and thelimited exposure of the compound operate .to maintain the rate of removal ofthe compound from:the container at a desired level.

In the preferred form ofthe invention, the container defines an ellipsoidal cross section andincludes a small diameter mid-section with the sidewalls of the main body of the container tapering outwardly toward the top and bottom walls from said mid-section. This container design provides a highly desirablemeansfor restricting compound removal, and this design may also be used in combination with the intermixing of inert pieces with the compound.

FIG. 1 illustrates a toilet .structure 10 comprising a bowl l2 and a water tank 14. A container 16 holding a toilet bowl cleaning compound is positioned within the tank 14 so that the container will be below the surface of the water 18 when the water level is normal.

The container 16 comprises a jar or can structure having a top 20. In the embodiment illustrated, the top 20 is removable since this facilitates loading of the container. It is contemplated, however, that the top may be sealed on after loading or that the container be completely disposable in which case the top may be formed integrally with the main body of the container.

A small diameter opening 22 is defined by the top and cleaning compound 24 is exposed to water within the tank 14 through this opening. A pressure-sensitive paper may be located over the opening with this paper being removed just prior to insertion of the container into the water tank.

A plurality of pieces of inert material 26 are included with the compound 24 preferably spread over the top of the compound as illustrated. This inert material may comprise stone, marbles, or any other solid which will not affect the reaction of the compound. The purpose of the inert material is to limit the amount of compound which is exposed to water. Thus, the inert material will occupy a certain proportion of the exposed surface thereby reducing the amount of compound which is exposed.

The mixture of compound and inert material is loaded in the container until the container is between about one-third and two-thirds full, preferably about one-half full. By so-limiting the contents of the container, it has been found that the useful life of the initial charge is materially increased.

FIGS. 3 through 6 illustrate a preferred design for a container. This container construction 28 comprises a top wall 30, a sidewall including a reduced diameter or necked down mid-section 32 and a bottom wall 34. The sidewall tapers outwardly toward the top and bottom walls and the bottom wall is substantially larger than the top wall. The container is elliptical in cross-section throughout its height.

A small diameter opening 36 is defined by an upstanding beaded member formed on the top wall 30. This enables the use of a plastic snap-on cap whichis not readily pierced and which can be discarded when the container is opened. A cleaning compound 38 is included within the container. and inert pieces 40 are located over the compound; however, this is not a requirement when employing a container design of this type. The structure 28 is preferably filled only to the level of the narrow waist portion when initially supplied.

The openings 22 and 36 should have an area which is not less than 8 percent nor more than 30 percent of the average cross-sectional area defined by the respective containers I6and 28. In the case of the container 28, the cross-sectional area would be determined by averaging the cross-sectional area at the necked-down mid=portion and the maximum cross-sectional area at the bottom or top of the container.

In the operation of the system of this invention, the openings 22 or 34 permit the inclusion of compound in the water in the tank 14. Accordingly, this compound will be carried into the bowl 12 when the toilet is flushed to thereby achieve a cleaning action. The use of restricted openings in the top wall of the containers reduces the rate of removal of the compound to assist in achieving the most efficient use of the compound. Where inert material is utilized in a container such as shown in FIG. 2, then this arrangement cooperates with the restricted flow provided by the opening 22 to achieve a substantial increase in the useful life of the container without sacrificing the cleaning capabilities.

In the construction shown in FIGS. 3 through 6, the efficiency of the system results from the cooperation achieved by including a restricted opening 36 in a container having the reduced diameter mid-section 32. This cooperation is particularly apparent where the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the mid-section 32 are approximately equal to the cross-sectional dimensions of the opening 36. This cooperation can be achieved without the use of inert particles 40; however, an amount of these particles, preferably below the amount employed in the container 16, will provide useful improvements in efficiency.

In a typical application of the invention, the container I6 may comprise a standard jar having a diameter of 3% inches and a height of 3% inches. The opening 22 preferably varies between I and 2 inches in diameter. The stone or other inert particles preferably vary in size between A inch and 1 inch when measured by its largest dimension with at least 60 percent of the stone having a largest dimension of k inch or more.

In a typical example, the container 28 may have a base extending 4% inches when measured across its longest dimension and 3 inches when measured across its shortest dimension. The top dimensions may be 3 inches and 2 inches, respectively, with the longest dimension of the opening 36 extending between I and 2.5 inches and with the shortest dimension extending between 0.5 and 2 inches. As indicated, the dimensions ofthe mid-section 32 should be approximately equal to those of the opening 36.

The compound included within the containers preferably comprises calcium hypochlorite. Limestone provides a suitable source of inert material. In this connection, the stone or other inert material is preferably relatively heavy to provide ballast for the container and to prevent removal of the inert material from the container during flushing. The amount of inert material in a container of the type shown in FIG. 2 preferably varies between 15 and 50 percent by volume while no more than about 25 percent of the inert material need be employed when utilizing a container of the type shown in FIGS. 3 through 6.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the above described system without departing from the spirit thereof, particularly as defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a container for a system for cleaning toilet bowls wherein the container is located within a water tank associated with the bowl, and wherein a cleaning compound located within the container is exposed to the water present in the tank for entry of the compound into the water whereby water containing the compound is delivered to the toilet bowl when thetoilet is flushed, the improvement wherein said container comprises a large diameter main body portion and transversely extending top and bottom walls, a small diameter opening defined in said top wall, said small diameter opening varying between 1 and 2 inches in diameter, said container defining no other openings whereby a restricted 5 flow of water into and out of the container will occur,

said container being filled with said compound to between aboutone-third and two-thirds of its capacity whereby a water-filled chamber extends from the top surface of said compound to said opening, and including pieces of inert, water insoluble, material located in said container said pieces varying in particle size between inch and 1 inch with at least 60 percent by weight of the pieces having a particle size greater than /2 inch, said pieces of greater particle size being positioned predominantly at the upper level of the compound to thereby limit exposure of the compound to the water, between and 50 percent by volume of the contents of the container comprising said pieces, the combination of the restricted flow of water and the limited exposure of the compound operating to limit the rate of removal of said compound from within the container.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said compound comprises calcium hypochlorite.

3. In acontainer for a system for cleaning toilet bowls wherein the container is located within a water tank associated with the bowl, and wherein a cleaning compound located within the container is exposed to the water present in the tank for entry of the compound into the water whereby water containing the compound is delivered to the toilet bowl when the toilet is flushed, the improvement wherein said container comprises a main body portion and transversely extending top and bottom walls, a small opening defined in said top wall whereby a restricted flow of water into and out of the container will occur, said small opening being elliptical in shape with the long dimension of the opening extending between I and 2% inches, said container defining no other openings, said main body portion defining an elliptical cross section and including a mid-section of relatively small cross-sectional area with the walls of said main body portion tapering outwardly toward said top and bottom walls, the cross-sectional area of said small opening and the shape thereof being approximately the same as the cross-sectional area and shape of said mid-section, pieces of inert material located in said container predominantly at the upper level of the compound to thereby limit the exposure of the compound to the water, between 15 and 25 percent by volume of the contents of the container comprising said inert material, and said inert material comprising stone varying in particle size between A inch and 1 inch with at least 60 percent by weight of the stone having a particle size greater than V2 inch, said container being initially filled only to about the level of said mid-section, the combination of the restricted flow of water and the reduced exposure of the compound due to the design of the container and the presence of said inert material resulting in a limited rate of removal of said compound from within the container.

4. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said top wall of the container is substantially smaller dimensionally than said bottom wall.-

5. A system in accordance with claim .3 wherein said compound comprises calcium hypochlorite. 

1. In a container for a system for cleaning toilet bowls wherein the container is located within a water tank associated with the bowl, and wherein a cleaning compound located within the container is exposed to the water present in the tank for entry of the compound into the water whereby water containing the compound is delivered to the toilet bowl when the toilet is flushed, the improvement wherein said container comprises a large diameter main body portion and transversely extending top and bottom walls, a small diameter opening defined in said top wall, said small diameter opening varying between 1 and 2 inches in diameter, said container defining no other openings whereby a restricted flow of water into and out of the container will occur, said container being filled with said compound to between about one-third and two-thirds of its capacity whereby a waterfilled chamber extends from the top surface of said compOund to said opening, and including pieces of inert, water insoluble, material located in said container said pieces varying in particle size between 1/4 inch and 1 inch with at least 60 percent by weight of the pieces having a particle size greater than 1/2 inch, said pieces of greater particle size being positioned predominantly at the upper level of the compound to thereby limit exposure of the compound to the water, between 15 and 50 percent by volume of the contents of the container comprising said pieces, the combination of the restricted flow of water and the limited exposure of the compound operating to limit the rate of removal of said compound from within the container.
 2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said compound comprises calcium hypochlorite.
 3. In a container for a system for cleaning toilet bowls wherein the container is located within a water tank associated with the bowl, and wherein a cleaning compound located within the container is exposed to the water present in the tank for entry of the compound into the water whereby water containing the compound is delivered to the toilet bowl when the toilet is flushed, the improvement wherein said container comprises a main body portion and transversely extending top and bottom walls, a small opening defined in said top wall whereby a restricted flow of water into and out of the container will occur, said small opening being elliptical in shape with the long dimension of the opening extending between 1 and 2 1/2 inches, said container defining no other openings, said main body portion defining an elliptical cross section and including a mid-section of relatively small cross-sectional area with the walls of said main body portion tapering outwardly toward said top and bottom walls, the cross-sectional area of said small opening and the shape thereof being approximately the same as the cross-sectional area and shape of said mid-section, pieces of inert material located in said container predominantly at the upper level of the compound to thereby limit the exposure of the compound to the water, between 15 and 25 percent by volume of the contents of the container comprising said inert material, and said inert material comprising stone varying in particle size between 1/4 inch and 1 inch with at least 60 percent by weight of the stone having a particle size greater than 1/2 inch, said container being initially filled only to about the level of said mid-section, the combination of the restricted flow of water and the reduced exposure of the compound due to the design of the container and the presence of said inert material resulting in a limited rate of removal of said compound from within the container.
 4. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said top wall of the container is substantially smaller dimensionally than said bottom wall.
 5. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said compound comprises calcium hypochlorite. 